Emilie Meyer
Chicken enchiladas are a popular Mexican dish that can be made in an air fryer. This cooking method speeds up the process, reduces mess, and enhances the flavours and textures of the dish. The air fryer's hot air gives the enchiladas a crunchy exterior while keeping the inside creamy and gooey, with melted cheese. The recipe is versatile, allowing for customisations in ingredients and cooking methods, and can be prepared and stored in advance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of cooking | Easy, quick, less mess and hassle |
| Taste | Delicious, bursting with flavor, slight crunch on the outside, tender and gooey with cheese on the inside |
| Ingredients | Chicken, enchilada sauce, cheese, onions, flour or corn tortillas, olive oil, taco seasoning, black beans, cilantro, green onions, sour cream, avocado, guacamole, sliced tomatoes, salad, salsa, Mexican cheese, Monterey jack, cumin, chili powder, refried beans, bell pepper, garlic, brown sugar, cream cheese, hatch green chiles, shredded cheddar cheese |
| Nutritional Information | Calories: 335, Total Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0g, Unsaturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 98mg, Sodium: 620mg, Carbohydrates: 18g, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 6g, Protein: 30g |
| Time | 30 minutes from start to finish |
| Temperature | 350°F (177°C) or 370°F for 6 minutes, then an additional 6 minutes at the same temperature |
| Recipe | Butterfly chicken breasts, season with olive oil and taco seasoning, cook chicken, assemble enchiladas with sauce, chicken, beans, and cheese, air fry, garnish and serve |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken preparation
Slicing and Flattening the Chicken:
Start by slicing each chicken breast horizontally to create four pieces. This technique, known as butterflying, helps the chicken cook more evenly. Aim for a thickness of about 1/4 inch for each piece. If your chicken breasts are thicker, use a rolling pin or a flat meat tenderizer to gently flatten them down. This ensures that the chicken cooks uniformly and quickly in the air fryer.
Seasoning the Chicken:
Drizzle the sliced and flattened chicken breasts with olive oil. This adds moisture and helps the seasonings stick to the meat. Next, generously season all sides of the chicken with taco seasoning. You can use a store-bought taco seasoning packet or make your own blend with spices like cumin and chili powder. Alternatively, you can use fajita seasoning or try making your own homemade taco seasoning.
Cooking the Chicken in the Air Fryer:
Preheat your air fryer to 370°F (187°C). Place the seasoned chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer, but as a guide, cook the chicken for about 6 minutes at 370°F. Then, flip the chicken over and cook for an additional 6 minutes. The internal temperature of the chicken breasts should reach 165°F when they are done.
Resting and Slicing the Cooked Chicken:
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest on a cutting board for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute and ensures the chicken stays moist. After resting, slice the chicken breasts into strips or shred the meat using two forks in a crossing and pulling motion. The shredded or sliced chicken is now ready to be used as a filling for your enchiladas.
Alternative Method: Cooking Chicken in a Skillet:
Alternatively, you can cook the chicken in a skillet on the stovetop before assembling the enchiladas. Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground chicken or shredded chicken and cook until it is fully cooked. Then, stir in the taco seasoning to flavour the chicken. This method allows you to cook the chicken and prepare the filling in one go.
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Air fryer setup
To cook chicken enchiladas in an air fryer, you will need to prepare the air fryer basket by lining it with parchment paper, foil, or a small sheet of foil. You can also use a glass or foil pan that fits in your air fryer basket.
If you are using foil, spray it with a non-stick spray or olive oil cooking spray to prevent sticking. You can also add a thin layer of sauce to the bottom of the pan or directly to the air fryer basket.
Next, you will assemble the enchiladas by spreading enchilada sauce on each tortilla and adding the filling. The filling typically includes cooked and seasoned chicken, refried or black beans, cheese, and other ingredients like onions, bell peppers, and garlic. You can also add rice, corn, zucchini, or jalapenos for extra flavour and texture.
Roll up the filled tortillas and place them side by side in the prepared air fryer basket or pan. Cover the enchiladas with sauce and sprinkle with cheese.
Finally, air fry the enchiladas at temperatures ranging from 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the recipe and your desired level of crispiness. For a 5.8 qt Cosori air fryer, one source recommends cooking at 350°F (177°C) for about 5 minutes.
You can also prepare the enchiladas ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, cook at 375°F for about 5 to 7 minutes.
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Filling the tortillas
If you want to get creative, you can add other ingredients to the filling, such as chopped cilantro and chives, or even leftover veggies like corn or zucchini. You can also switch up the type of cheese you use; for example, you could try Mexican cheese or Monterey Jack. If you're making a large batch, it's important to note that corn tortillas can crack, so try dipping them in hot enchilada sauce for a few seconds before filling and rolling them.
For a slightly different take on the filling process, you can try this method: place the enchilada sauce, black beans, cheese, and chicken down the center of each tortilla. Roll up the tortillas and lay them side by side in the air fryer. Then, pour on the remaining enchilada sauce and sprinkle with cheese before baking.
No matter which filling method you choose, the key is to ensure you have a delicious and well-combined mixture that is evenly distributed among the tortillas. This will ensure your chicken enchiladas are packed with flavor in every bite!
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for chicken enchiladas in an air fryer vary depending on the recipe and the type of air fryer being used. Some recipes call for cooking the chicken and enchiladas separately in the air fryer, while others suggest cooking them together.
When cooking the chicken separately, most recipes recommend cooking at 370°F (187°C) for a total of 12 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through. The internal temperature of the chicken breasts should reach 165°F (74°C) when done.
For recipes that cook the chicken and enchiladas together, the cooking time and temperature vary. Some recipes suggest cooking at 350°F (177°C) for 5 minutes, while others recommend 400°F (204°C) for 6 to 8 minutes, or 360°F (180°C) for 10 to 15 minutes. The enchiladas are typically cooked until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the tortilla edges are crispy.
It is important to note that air fryer models and wattages can vary, so cooking times and temperatures may need to be adjusted accordingly. Additionally, some recipes suggest covering the air fryer basket with foil or using a baking pan that fits inside the air fryer basket to prevent leakage and make cleaning easier.
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Serving suggestions
Chicken enchiladas cooked in an air fryer are a quick, easy, and delicious meal. They are perfect for a weeknight dinner and can be served in many ways.
You can serve chicken enchiladas with a side of Mexican rice, refried beans, or a simple green salad. They also go well with a crunchy salad, such as coleslaw, and a sour cream dip. If you want to add more Mexican flavour, serve with salsa and guacamole, or even mango habanero salsa or tomatillo salsa. For a more substantial meal, serve with grilled elote or air fryer corn elote, or Mexican street corn salad.
Chicken enchiladas are also great served with other Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos, and bowls. You can also serve them with sides such as chips, or even air fryer jalapeno popper bites.
If you want to make a more nutritious meal, serve the enchiladas with a simple salad and a side of beans, such as instant pot refried beans.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 10-15 minutes to cook chicken enchiladas in an air fryer. The internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F when done.
The air fryer should be set to 350°F to 370°F for cooking chicken enchiladas.
Yes, you can prepare the filling and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can also assemble the enchiladas, freeze them, and cook them later.
